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Owner of Bethlehem's La Lupita Taqueria opening new Irish pub

publik house

The owners of Bethlehem’s La Lupita Taquiera have purchased the former Horns restaurant at 123 W. Fourth St. and plan to open an American and Irish Pub-type restaurant called Publik House.
(Express-Times Photo | LYNN OLANOFF)

Jose and Rafaela Nunez have purchased the former Horns restaurant at 123 W. Fourth St. and plan to open an American and Irish pub-type restaurant called Publik House.

"I said to my wife, 'Why don't we try something different,'" said Jose Nunez, who has owned La Lupita at 4 W. Fourth St. for seven years.

Nunez said he'll likely seek a liquor license for the Publik House but will open it initially as a BYOB. La Lupita also is BYOB.

Nunez is undertaking renovations at the former Horns spot with the hopes of opening his new restaurant next month. He's planning to move Horns' kitchen-side bar to the front and move the restaurant's kitchen farther back to expand the dining room.

Publik House will offer food including shepherd's pie, chicken potpie, ribs, steaks and salads, Nunez said. Like La Lupita, the restaurant will use all fresh ingredients, he said.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner in addition to brunch Saturday and Sunday, he said.